Liverpool manager Arne Slot has moved to ease growing speculation over Mohamed Salah’s future and reduced playing time, insisting the Egyptian star remains firmly in his plans despite being left out of the starting XI for the past two Premier League matches. With Liverpool stuck in a difficult run of form and pressure increasing from all angles, Slot’s comments come at a crucial moment for both player and club.
Salah, 33, has endured a subdued start to the season by his own elite standards, scoring just four league goals during what has been a disappointing opening for the Reds. The forward has played only 45 minutes across Liverpool’s last two fixtures, prompting questions about form, fitness and future plans. His absence from the starting line-up against West Ham and again in the midweek draw with Sunderland has intensified talk, especially given continued interest from the Saudi Pro League.
Slot, however, maintained that his relationship with Salah and belief in him remains unchanged. “For every player, in my mind they can start—Mo is an exceptional player for us,” he said. “He is always in my mind to either start or to come off the bench.” The manager also acknowledged the “chatter” surrounding the decision but insisted it was natural, given Salah’s stature at the club.
The Egyptian’s influence since joining Liverpool in 2017 has been enormous: 250 goals in 420 appearances, multiple major honours, and a reputation as one of the most productive forwards in world football. Last season, under Slot’s first year in charge, Salah scored 29 times as Liverpool lifted the Premier League title. That legacy means his recent benching has generated disproportionate attention, but Slot suggested such scrutiny is justified “because he deserves that” after years of leadership and consistency.
Speculation about Salah’s future has been fuelled by Saudi interest, with Al-Ittihad widely reported to be monitoring the situation closely. Salah signed a new two-year contract in April, tying him to the club until 2027, but the financial power of the Saudi league continues to hover as a destabilising presence.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has also weighed in on the debate, reinforcing the message that no player is guaranteed a permanent place in Slot’s team. “No one has unlimited credit,” Van Dijk said. “He is still a fantastic player… but everyone has to perform.” Van Dijk added that Salah is “disappointed” not to have started the last two matches, but noted that such frustration is normal among elite players. “If you’re not disappointed when you’re not playing, then there is an issue.”
Liverpool’s struggles this season—just two wins in their past nine league games—have magnified every decision Slot makes, especially when it involves senior figures like Salah. The club sits ninth in the table, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal, a far cry from the dominance they displayed in their title-winning campaign.
Saturday’s trip to Leeds United now looms as a pivotal moment. Salah’s record against Leeds is formidable: nine goals in six Premier League games. Yet his output this season has dropped significantly, averaging a goal every 280 minutes compared with 117 minutes last year. Liverpool’s attacking fluency has dipped in tandem, and without Salah firing, the side has looked increasingly blunt.
With Salah set to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations shortly, Slot faces a delicate balancing act: managing Salah’s minutes, retaining harmony in the squad, and preparing for a period without one of the club’s most influential players. Analysts suggest Salah is likely to return to the starting XI at Elland Road, but with Liverpool seeking solutions and long-term planning underway, his role may continue to evolve.
The coming weeks could shape not only Salah’s future but Liverpool’s broader direction. If the Reds rediscover form in his absence, Slot may feel emboldened to reshape the team around new attacking ideas. If not, the reliance on Salah may deepen yet again. Either way, the debate surrounding Liverpool’s Egyptian icon shows no signs of calming.
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